$100,000, a recent jump from $50,000
Real property may now be reachable — confirm before relying on it
Because the amendment specifically struck the prior exception that barred real property entirely, the affidavit route may now extend further than it used to. Given how recent this change is, confirm current eligibility for any specific house with the Clerk of Court before relying on it.
A separate $200,000 path, run through the court
Small Estate Administration under Chapter 635 is a different, simplified probate process — not a bank-counter affidavit — available for estates valued at $200,000 or less, with reduced fees and streamlined procedures.
Automatic conversion if the estate turns out bigger
Under §635.7, if the inventory shows probate assets above the $200,000 cap, the estate automatically converts to standard chapter 633 administration — no separate court order is needed to make that switch.
No TOD deed workaround exists
Iowa has repeatedly failed to adopt the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, and Iowa courts have held attempted TOD deeds of real estate void — joint tenancy with survivorship or a living trust remain the standard ways to keep a house out of probate here.